Harmon Cove Outlet Center closes after 30 years, but some stores relocate in town

Citing a reduction in operating stores from over 40 to just four, Hartz Mountain Industries has closed the Harmon Cove Outlet Center in Secaucus after nearly 30 years of operation, according to a press statement.

Hartz Mountain has implemented a relocation program for the remaining stores at its 210 Meadowland Parkway building, which is located on the main corridor to its Harmon Cove development. Children’s Place relocated and opened for business last week and Prato Men’s Wear Outlet will be opening soon. Hartz Mountain is also in negotiations to relocate Gymboree, Van Heusen, and Bass to 210 Meadowland Parkway.

Lenox and East West Bridals were recently relocated within the Harmon Cove Development and are now open for business. In addition, the Perfume & Cosmetic Outlet and Candyland were relocated to the Plaza at Harmon Meadow in Hartz’s highly successful mixed use development and will open soon.

Voter registration forms available at local library and town clerk’s office

New Jersey Voter Registration Applications are available at the Secaucus Public Library, which is located at 1379 Paterson Plank Road, as well as at the office of the town clerk in the Secaucus Municipal Government Center, located at 1203 Paterson Plank Road. The library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m.

According to Town Clerk Michael Marra, Oct. 16 is the last day to register for the Nov. 6 general election. On Oct. 16 the office will remain open until 9 p.m. All completed forms must be brought to the clerk’s office by that date.

Marra also noted that requests for absentee ballots must be received in the County Clerk’s Office (not the town clerk’s office) by Oct. 30. Forms to “request” an absentee ballot are also available in the clerk’s office.

Ladies’ Auxiliary raises money for Breast Cancer Awareness

The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Secaucus Exempt Firemen’s Association plans to sell t-shirts during Fire Service Day on Oct. 7 to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Proceeds from the t-shirts will go toward the northern New Jersey chapter of Guardians of the Ribbon. The shirts cost $10. To inquire about the t-shirts, contact: Jane Olsen: (201) 330-9147.

Fire Service Day takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the municipal parking lot in the center of town. Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog will make appearances. Fire Department members will be on hand to demonstrate some of the equipment used for extrication, firefighting, search and rescue and the personal protective equipment. The rain date is Oct. 14.

Municipality to receive $1.6 million for park upgrades

Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and the Board of Chosen Freeholders approved $1.6 million for the upgrade and improvement of Buchmuller Park in Secaucus at their recent meeting.

The upgrades will include an improved drainage system, new bleachers, and synthetic turf for the little league field. It will also include completing the back portion of the playground area with new swings, a new safety surface, and other new play structures as well as a new small "tot" play area for smaller children. The funds will help increase handicap accessibility. The basketball courts will be resurfaced, walking paths updated, there will be new lighting and a small lot will be added for parking.

“It is great to have partners such as the Tom DeGise and the Freeholders that value parks and open space as much we do,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli after receiving the $1.6 million award.

The Secaucus Environmental Commission has been chosen to receive an Association of New Jersey Environmental Commission Achievement Award for their work banning Styrofoam. The mayor and Town Council passed a resolution in October 2011to ban the use of polystyrene foam from schools, restaurants, and small businesses because it is not biodegradable and can contaminate the soil and waterways.

The award will be presented at the Environmental Congress on Oct. 20.

Goya donates 100,000 pounds of food to Hurricane Isaac victims

Latino-owned company Goya Foods will donate 100,000 pounds of Goya products to victims of hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, according to news reports. Nonprofit Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana will administer and distribute the food. The contribution equates to more than 83,000 meals that include items such as canned goods, rice, beans, and coconut water.

Hurricane Isaac made landfall on Aug 28 and damaged close to 59,000 dwellings across southeast Louisiana according to news reports.

Library hosts presentation about Medicare for seniors

Eydie Shapiro, proprietor of Comfort Keepers, a company that provides in-home care for the elderly, will host a program at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 to inform seniors about how to understand the Medicare system and make good choices. The guest speaker will be Patti Goldfarb, CSA, an employee benefits consultant for over 20 years who has worked with Medicare products for more than 10 years.

According to Shapiro, Goldfarb will answer questions that those already on Medicare and those approaching Medicare eligibility have regarding the enrollment process and what Medicare does and does not pay.

Goldfarb will dispel the “Five Myths of Medicare” and navigate those attending through the “Medicare Alphabet.” She will help the audience understand how to compare Medicare insurance plans and how to proceed with the plan that is best for the individual.

For more information, call: (201) 330-2083.

Secaucus Independents launch campaign for mayor/council in 2013

More than 100 supporters gathered on Sept. 24 at Burger and Pizza Stop in Secaucus for the official launch of the Independent political ticket Take Back Secaucus. The next mayor/council election will be held in November of 2013.

Gonnelli ran unopposed for mayor when former Mayor Dennis Elwell resigned July 28, 2009 after being arrested in a statewide FBI corruption sting. Before running for political office, Gonnelli was the superintendent of the Department of Public Works and a volunteer fire chief.

Gonnelli spoke about maintaining an open and honest government. He said that the town has invested in children by updating all of the parks. “Kids don’t vote but kids are important,” said Gonnelli. He also described the environmental initiatives, starting the emergency fund to help needy individuals, and support for the seniors.

He also said, “from a financial standpoint, I don’t think the town has been in better shape.”

Gonnelli first campaigned under the Take Back Secaucus banner in 2006 with Councilman Gary Jeffas and Robert “Bob” Berckes, who all ran as Independents for council seats against Elwell candidates Michael Grecco, Robert Kickey, and John Shinnick.

“We are going to remind people of how great Secaucus is,” said Dan Amico, Volunteer Campaign Manager. “People love living here.”

Amico said that the mayor and council members are continuously striving to improve the town. “The [residents] have people who care,” noted Amico.

Gonnelli said that the campaign has already begun to go door to door ringing bells and reintroducing themselves. The Independents hope to raise $100,000 for the campaign. They also plan to organize voter registration drives.

Festival of Lights celebration returns to Buchmuller Park

The Indian Caucus of Secaucus and the Town of Secaucus host the third annual Diwali Mela: The Festival of Lights on Oct. 14 at Buchmuller Park starting at 12 p.m. The free event includes entertainment, kids’ activities, door prizes, Indian cuisine, gifts and more.

For vendor information or to perform, email: ics@indiancaucus.org or call: (201) 472-0085.

NJMC hosts family science night

Visitors to the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst Oct. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.

can learn the difference between Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes for Family Science Night, which is focused on fish. Visitors who bring a t-shirt can make a fish print. The event costs $5 per person and $4 per MEC members. While the program is geared toward those ages 6 to 12, families are welcome to bring children of all ages. For more information, call: (201) 460-8300 or visit: www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.

Presentation on hawks, owls, eagles and more…

The staff of Tenafly Nature Center on Oct. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. will show Meadowlands Environment Center (MEC) guests several live raptors up-close. Learn about raptor behavior, physiology, adaptations, ecological importance and natural history. This demonstration will capture the imagination of young and old alike. The event is for all ages and costs $7 per person and $5 per MEC members. For more information, call: (201) 460-8300 or visit: www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.

Free talk and book signing, “The Nature of the Meadowlands”

The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission celebrates the publication of its new coffee-table book, “The Nature of the Meadowlands” on Oct. 15 from 7 to 8 p.m. The NJMC is presenting a free talk and book signing by author Jim Wright of the NJMC and Governor Thomas H. Kean, who wrote the book’s foreword. Governor Kean will speak about the environmental recovery that the book chronicles, and Wright will talk about the book and preview its striking nature photography and rare archival images. The event takes place at the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst. To RSVP, call: (201) 460-4637 or e-mail: info@njmeadowlands.gov.